2xChristmas

I know what you're thinking. Why am I looking at a Christmas Dinner Plate? Well, that's because Friday was the IthacaHouse Christmas dinner and gift exchange. I suppose this disproves the starving grad student image, but can we help it if we can cook? From bottom center in clockwise fashion: candied-pecan yams (me), wild rice (Pete), zested whole cranberries (me), vegan spinach with tofu and phyllo dough with some special name I forget (Sara), roll (Sean), ham (Sean and the King), green bean cassarole (Sean?). Sorry there's no dessert picture, but we had chocolate souffle by Nicole and cherry pie by Katie. All in all, it was a sumptuous meal.

Then we had a little White Elephant Exchange, but we won't let those stories escape the inner circle. Let's just say we had PlayStations to Lyonel Ritchie records. 

Casa Grueso

In honor of Sean's birthday, South Park, and Oklahoma roots- we all went to "Casa Bonita" in Denver, really Lakewood. I would put the link here, but I think they might hate me. Anyway- it just might have been the grossest (if that's a word) food I've ever had. Some describe it as the cheese whiz dinner; I'm not really sure how to describe it.

Imagine Disney, but faker, much smaller, and quite a bit lamer. For $10.39 I believe you get an "all you can eat" dinner, and let me tell you- one plate is more than you'll want to eat. Pete was happy with his fajita plate after looking at ours and describing his as chewy meat with three tortillas in a ziplock bag. So get this- they dont even bring you your sumptuous dinner- you pick it up cafeteria style. I suppose I was just sad that my (almost) flawless plan failed. I thought- well, if I have 2 margaritas- that always makes the food taste good, or well, better. One margarita had less than a pinch of tequila, and I didn't even get it until I was halfway through my meal. Foiled.

Anyway, I suppose it was an interesting experience, and maybe we should have a lame-themed birthday party year. If so- I'm calling roller skating, although I think bowling might be better... hmm. At least we played some hot-pink ski-ball and Sean got a spectacular cheetah lunch box. It was a good thing we could wash it all away with a $2 So-Sun beer to end the night.

Another Hotel Room, Another City

I've been told recently that I'm a bad blogger. In trying to remedy this, I am attempting a post post. You think I'm insane? Really I'm just adding a blog from the Fall AGU (that'd be American Geophysical Union) in San Francisco. And it's really not that late- we were there just last week. Pete's page has more information on this. This is our swank room on the 25th floor of the Argent hotel.

While we were there we spent some serious dough on the vast array of multicultural food selections in San Francisco. I have to say, we didn't make it to Teuscher, but that's okay as we still had two dark chocolate champagne truffles waiting for us upon our return to Boulder.

Let's start with the sushi. The quality of fish was spectacular at Nikko Nikko Sushi, however, I can't seem to find a link. I guess I should check my credit card bill. We also went to Mas Saki. This place was definitely more posh, totally a 20-something hang out. I would think it perfect for a classy night pre-clubbing. Totally swank. However, the rolls that they're known for- ehh- rolls. I like rolls, don't get me wrong, but big rolls, just make me feel like a puffer fish. I think I prefer ones that at least resemble the idea of bite-sized. And I do prefer nigiri when the quality is there, which I thought it was a little lacking for the Bay area. But, like I said, I'd go back. The atmosphere was awesome. Another cool thing is, say you forget or don't get a chance to eat before going to the SF airport. Well guess what? If you're flying United, at least for us, we had a sushi restaurant right at our gate (gate seventy-something). For airport food- it was great and not even that expensive. Ok so I only got the unagi bowl, but I was pleased as I thought all we'd be able to get would be a cold pre-prepared sandwich.

Hmm, what else. I suppose one other restaurant stands out: Mangarosa (although, I have to admit they're website leaves a bit to be desired. Why is it so small?). This brazilian-style restaurant somehow found it's place into the Italian sector, which was actually what we were going to eat, and is the only thinkable genre we seemed to miss during our 5-day trip. Although, I suppose we didn't eat American, but I don't consider that a significant loss. Anyway, mangarosa was quite pricey, but I had the "funnest" (yes, I'm going to use that here) dinner ever. It was called pumpkin and prawn risotto, but really that still gives you no idea of what you get. It was a baking pumpkin filled with a stew and a side of basmati rice. The stew was spicey and had 9, yes 9, large shrimp. My favorite was scraping the sides of the pumpkin. Pete also got it. Their calamari appetizer was also extremely tasty, the squid being so fresh.

As far as AGU, I'll put up a post later. ;)